Speculations are bound to happen when you lose: Shoaib Malik

Pakistan team, which is already under a lot of fire, seems to be facing more problems after the speculation of group-ism in the team was reported. But all-rounder Shoaib Malik has rubbished all these speculations. Malik says this negative talk of group-ism only surfaces when the team loses.

Pakistan, after two back to back losses have their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread, were hit by another controversy in the middle of the tournament with a government minister claiming that group-ism and politics were rife in the team.

“It is because of this speculation on group-ism, we are not able to build a team. We are not able to get the consistency. When the team loses, there is pressure put on lots of people (stakeholders) and changes happen in the team,” Malik said in the pre-match press conference.

“To me, all this speculation is baseless. Just to add to that, I want to say that six of us were not talking during the World T20 in 2009 but we still managed to win the title,” Malik said on the eve of Pakistan’s must-win match for both teams.

The fact-finding committee of the PCB will probe these allegations post the tournament. Besides, PCB chief Shahryar Khan declared midway into the event that captain Shahid Afridi will be removed after the World T20.

Malik spoke about the problems Pakistan cricket is facing and said the team has the talent but lacks consistency. He asserted that the side is looking to win against Australia to keep the flickering hope of making the semis alive.

“It is not about a game or two. It has been the process followed from the last one and a half years. If you look at the Pakistan performance in the World T20 and compare with other teams, you will see that all the matches have been fought closely.

“Of course, we have to take responsibility (when the team loses) and all players know that. We have certain areas where we need to improve. PSL has just started. After two-three years you will get to see the league giving cricketers to the national side,” said the 34-year-old.

He further revealed that team was following India’s match against Bangladesh closely.

“We wanted Bangladesh to win. Not because we don’t like India but because we want to see ourselves in the tournament.”

Pakistani cricketers these have to face very sharp and sometimes pointless question when they turn up for press conference and Malik also went through something similar when he sat down for the media interaction at the I S Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

One of the Pakistani reporters travelling with the team asked him, “how does it feel to be not performing when his wife Sania Mirza is doing well on the tennis court?”. Pretty unusual question but rather than avoiding, Malik came up with a great reply.

“I don’t feel like answering your question but since you have come so far from Pakistan, I will answer. Boundaries (in the last game against New Zealand) came only twice or thrice after the first six overs. There are batsmen who need a bit of time to hit the big shots.”

“Ever since I have made a comeback, I think I have been the top scorer. My average is around 35 in this format so you would not have asked me this if you did your homework. However, I still respect you,” Malik said.

Malik also stated that there is no rift between Afridi and him and wants to do well for Afridi who is likely to retire post the world event.

“Shoaib Malik is the same guy who left captaincy in PSL. He is the same cricketer who left Test cricket for youngsters. We all know that it is lala’s (Afridi) last World Cup. I respect him the way I respect Inzamam bhai, Wasim (Akram) bhai and Waqar (Younis) bhai and all these cricketers. He is like an elder brother and I have learnt a lot from him,” he said.

“Nobody will be happier if we do well for him in the World Cup. a . All this talk is baseless, useless. We are one as a team and we will try to win,” he said.

When asked to compare the 2009 winning squad with the current team in India, Malik said,

“Skill wise this team is much better but professionalism wise the 2009 team was better. ”

Malik also said that he optimistic and committed to carry on till the 2019 50-over World Cup.

“I want to play till the 2019 World Cup and after that whatever the almighty has in store for me.”